1. Jalon Walker, Georgia – Versatile defensive weapon and all-around athlete with ability to play edge or off-ball linebacker and excels in all 3 phases – defending the run, rushing the passer, and dropping into coverage. Think somewhere between Micah Parsons and Anthony Barr.
2. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama – incredible athlete and instinctive football player who can be a true 3-down off-the-ball linebacker without a need to be subbed out in any situation.
3. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA – Great athlete at the LB position that struggles to take on blocks, especially against bigger offensive linemen. If utilized in the proper scheme where he’s not asked to engage linemen, could be a productive starter.
4. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma – heat-seeking missile of a linebacker who excels in blitzing and defending the run but does not yet drop in zone coverage at the NFL level.
5. Kobe King, Penn State – can immediately come into the NFL as a specialist as an above-average run-stuffing middle linebacker. Passing down skills need work.
6. Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina – A natural leader who possesses elite size and strength at the position and is elite when getting downhill into the backfield, but needs some work in other areas.
7. Smael Mondon, Georgia – Freakish athlete with insane sideline-to-sideline speed, but can hesitate and play slower at times. If asked to make simple reads, can be a Devin White-esque player.
8. Barrett Carter, Clemson – Aggressive, run-stuffing linebacker who will need some coaching to be effective on all 3 downs in the modern NFL.
9. Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss — A little small to come in as a solid run-defender in the NFL, but is a great athlete and coverage player who can play as a sub-linebacker on 3rd downs and contribute on special teams.
10. Jack Kiser, Notre Dame – Not the biggest, fastest, or strongest, but is a football player in the truest sense of the word. Was asked to wear a lot of different hats at Notre Dame and could serve as an elite special teamer and utility backup immediately in the NFL.
